How I Check My Emails

I do it on my laptop. 2 windows are open. One is my inbox, the other is a Google Doc called Email Insights and Actions. Because I receive lots of emails on personal and professional development, I’ll read each email and write down one insight, lesson or action I can apply today or at some point. Then, I delete or archive the email.

If I know someone I’m subscribed to does a regular promo of the same programs and courses, I don’t worry about deleting their emails or missing out, because if it’s something I really want, I’ll get it full price or the next time the promo campaign comes around. If I love the topic, but don’t love the vibe of the email (because I know it will take me down a salesy, long-webinar rabbithole), I’ll just Google the topic and save a few links to come back to. Then delete the email.

Right now, I’m unsubscribing from all retail marketing that creeps into my inbox.

I recently set automatic archives for my favourite senders so I can have dedicated days to exploring their content. There is no point me reading a ‘how-to-sale’ email when I know I won’t be doing any marketing work for weeks.

The point to this system is to be able to let go of what isn’t necessary and retain what is. If I don’t revisit the insights learnt, I’ve wasted less time that rereading the same emails, wondering why it is I kept them.

I also highlight any action steps to take and plonk them on my calendar. It may look like ‘Journal about creating greater empathy for joy’ (a topic that stood out in an email by a sound therapist) or ‘Write email using XYZ structure’. If there is a deadline for a promo, I will write ‘Inquire about coaching promo’.

This email-checking really reflects how we work in the coaching world. Filtering for insights and having a bias for action. Nothing is wasted if you look for the lesson and take a small step to lock it in.